Domaine des Comtes Lafon has been in the Lafon family since 1865. Dominique Lafon took over the domaine in 1985. It is comprised of approximately 14 hectares situated in the communes of Volnay, Monthélie, Chassagne-Montrachet, and of course, Meursault, where the domaine and its monopole vineyard Clos de la Barre are located.
All the vineyards are cultivated biodynamically and they proudly own every Premier Cru in Meursault. Dominique retired at the end of 2021, handing over the reigns to his daughter, Léa and nephew, Pierre, who as part of the fifth generation of winemakers in the Lafon family, will continue this domaine’s superstar reputation not only in Burgundy but throughout the world.
Where Lafon excels is in maintaining the typicity of each of his crus. Other than the use of new oak, there is little variation in winemaking techniques. Montrachet is the only wine to be aged entirely in new oak. The premiers crus are aged in a proportion that varies from 25% to 40% and the wine stays in wood for 16 months. Lees-stirring is used sparingly – ‘usually when the fermentation is slow to finish or when the wine is reduced’, he says. Keeping the cellars cold ensures fermentations can be slow and the young wines benefit from long aging before being racked and fined.
The 1er Cru Porusots is an east-facing vineyard with deep clay soils. The site produces lavish, layered and deeply structured wines.